Box-office numbers shot through the sky for Columbia Pictures' latest James Bond action-thriller “Skyfall” as it opened at No. 1 with a nationwide gross of a staggering P77.7-million for the Oct. 31 to Nov. 4 period. This was announced today by Victor R. Cabrera, Managing Director of Columbia Pictures.

Arriving in IMAX, 2D and regular theaters, “Skyfall” now holds the record for the biggest opening ever for a James Bond film, outpacing 2008's “Quantum of Solace” – as well as the fifth-best launch all-time for a Columbia Pictures title, ahead of 2002's “Spider-Man.”

Internationally, “Skyfall” took in $156 million over the weekend bringing its overseas total to $287 million. The film opens in North America on Friday, Nov. 9.

Back in the Philippines, the highest box-office receipts were led by SM Mall of Asia (P4.68-M), Trinoma (P4.52-M) and Power Plant (P3.56-M).
Not to be outdone are SM North EDSA (P3.11-M), Newport (P3.06-M), Greenbelt 3 (P2.87-M), SM Megamall, (P2.71-M), Glorietta 4 (P2.51-M), SM Cebu (P2.36-M) and Eastwood (P2.33-M).

“Skyfall” is also a big hit among Filipino critics, most of them hailing it as the best of the franchise. Ruel de Vera of Phil. Daily Inquirer, wrote “`Skyfall' is the film that will define Bond for the new generation—where Daniel Craig finally replaces Sean Connery as the premier Bond actor—and, by remembering its storied, heroic past and daring to deploy 007 in the treacherous present, stands as the best James Bond film ever.”

Philbert Dy of ClickTheCity shared that “Skyfall” is “an exquisitely made film, with some of the best cinematography that you’ll find today. The film is a real treat for Bond fans, and still quite a fun ride for everyone else.”

“`Skyfall' earns its spurs as the pantheon’s best by placing human connections front and center,” noted David Dizon of abs-cbnnews.com. “It shows us a Bond that is willing to endure pain not out of some grand notion of loyalty to the crown but out of respect and daresay love for an elder.”

“This is the Bond movie that will have you sitting forward, stomping your legs in anticipation of the next twist. Of which, I guarantee you, there are plenty,” Karl de Mesa of interaksyon.com declared.

Daniel Craig is back as James Bond 007 in SKYFALL, the 23rd installment of the longest-running film franchise in history. In the film, Bond’s loyalty to M (Judi Dench) is tested as her past returns to haunt her. 007 must track down and destroy the threat, no matter how personal the cost.

When Bond’s latest assignment goes gravely wrong and several undercover agents around the world are exposed, MI6 is attacked, forcing M to relocate the agency. With MI6 now compromised from both inside and out, M is left with one ally she can trust: Bond. 007 takes to the shadows, following a trail to the mysterious Silva (Javier Bardem), whose lethal and hidden motives have yet to reveal themselves.

Now playing across the Philippines in IMAX, Digital 2D and regular theaters, “Skyfall” is distributed by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International.